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West Virginia Football: Projected 2-deep depth chart for 2017

By Connor Muldowney

MORGANTOWN, WV - SEPTEMBER 03: Justin Crawford #25 of the West Virginia Mountaineers runs the ball against the Missouri Tigers in the first half of the game at Milan Puskar Stadium on September 3, 2016 in Morgantown, West Virginia. West Virginia defeated Missouri 26-11. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images)
MORGANTOWN, WV - SEPTEMBER 03: Justin Crawford #25 of the West Virginia Mountaineers runs the ball against the Missouri Tigers in the first half of the game at Milan Puskar Stadium on September 3, 2016 in Morgantown, West Virginia. West Virginia defeated Missouri 26-11. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images) /
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(Photo by Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images)
(Photo by Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images) /

Quarterback

Starting quarterback: Will Grier
Backup: Chris Chugunov

How can a team lose a 3,300-yard passer who had 26 touchdowns to just 10 interceptions in 2016 and still feel confident about the quarterback position for 2017? The answer is simple: Will Grier. The former Florida gunslinger transferred from The Swamp a couple of years ago after being busted for PED use.

Grier chose West Virginia as his next landing spot, giving the Mountaineers a quarterback with two years of eligibility remaining to go along with starting experience. He led Florida to a 6-0 record to begin the 2015 season before getting suspended and he was one of the hotter names on the market.

Replacing Skyler Howard won’t be easy, but Grier feels as if he can do just that. He has the arm, the poise and the confidence to lead the team and has already been cleared to play in Week 1 against Virginia Tech. Expect him to play well from the get-go, although there will be growing pains sprinkled in with him learning a new system.

Next: College Football: Top 50 breakout candidates for 2017

Sophomore quarterback Chris Chugunov probably hoped to be named the starter when Howard left, but Grier changed all that. He has just five career pass attempts, completing two for 15 yards and a pick. West Virginia is in good hands with Grier.

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